King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Nevertheless the Kenite shall be wasted, until Asshur shall carry thee away captive.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Kayin will be wasted while captive to Ashur."
Berean Standard Bible:
Yet Kain will be destroyed when Asshur takes you captive.”
American Standard Version:
Nevertheless Kain shall be wasted, Until Asshur shall carry thee away captive.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Nevertheless the Kenite{H7014} shall{H518} be wasted{H1197}, until Asshur{H804} shall carry thee away captive{H7617}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Genesis 10:22
- The children of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram.
Ezra 4:2
- Then they came to Zerubbabel, and to the chief of the fathers, and said unto them, Let us build with you: for we seek your God, as ye [do]; and we do sacrifice unto him since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assur, which brought us up hither.
Genesis 10:11
- Out of that land went forth Asshur, and builded Nineveh, and the city Rehoboth, and Calah,
Psalms 83:8
- Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot. Selah.
Hosea 14:3
- Asshur shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses: neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, [Ye are] our gods: for in thee the fatherless findeth mercy.
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Commentary for Numbers 24:22
Numbers 24:22 is part of the prophecy of Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet hired by Balak, the king of Moab, to curse the Israelites. However, instead of cursing them, Balaam repeatedly blesses them under the compulsion of God. This particular verse is a component of Balaam's final oracle concerning the fate of various nations.
**Themes:**
1. **Divine Sovereignty:** The verse reflects the theme of God's ultimate control over nations and their destinies, as Balaam's prophecies are portrayed as coming from the God of Israel.
2. **Judgment and Hope:** It speaks to the themes of judgment for the Kenites (a tribe descended from Moses' father-in-law, Jethro) and the eventual restoration or captivity by Assyria (Asshur), which can be interpreted as both a warning and a promise.
3. **Fulfillment of Prophecy:** This verse, like others in the chapter, indicates the reliability of prophecy, as it foretells events that will come to pass, emphasizing the power and foresight of God.
**Historical Context:**
The historical context of this verse is set during the Israelites' journey through the wilderness on their way to the Promised Land. The Kenites were a nomadic people who lived in the region of the Negev and the Sinai Peninsula and had a peaceful relationship with the Israelites. The reference to Asshur, another name for Assyria, points to a time when this major Mesopotamian power would rise and exert influence over the region, which historically occurred centuries after the time of Moses, when the Assyrians became known for their military might and their practice of deporting conquered peoples.
In summary, Numbers 24:22 is a prophetic statement that foretells the eventual decline of the Kenites and their subjugation by the Assyrians, serving as a reminder of God's control over the destiny of nations and the fulfillment of divine predictions within the historical narrative of the Bible.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H7014
There are 15 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קַיִן
Transliteration: Qayin
Pronunciation: kah'-yin
Description: the same as קַיִן (with a play upon the affinity to קָנָה); Kajin, the name of the first child, also of a place in Palestine, and of an Oriental tribe; Cain, Kenite(-s). - Strong's Number: H518
There are 283 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אִם
Transliteration: ʼim
Pronunciation: eem
Description: a primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also Oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not; (and, can-, doubtless, if, that) (not), [phrase] but, either, [phrase] except, [phrase] more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or, [phrase] save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, [phrase] surely (no more, none, not), though, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] unless, [phrase] verily, when, whereas, whether, while, [phrase] yet. - Strong's Number: H1197
There are 90 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בָּעַר
Transliteration: bâʻar
Pronunciation: baw-ar'
Description: a primitive root; also as denominative from בַּעַר; to kindle, i.e. consume (by fire or by eating); to be(-come) brutish; be brutish, bring (put, take) away, burn, (cause to) eat (up), feed, heat, kindle, set (on fire), waste. - Strong's Number: H804
There are 340 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אַשּׁוּר
Transliteration: ʼAshshûwr
Pronunciation: ash-shoor'
Description: or אַשֻּׁר; apparently from אָשַׁר (in the sense of successful); Ashshur, the second son of Shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e. Assyria), its region and its empire; Asshur, Assur, Assyria, Assyrians. See אָשֻׁר. - Strong's Number: H7617
There are 42 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁבָה
Transliteration: shâbâh
Pronunciation: shaw-baw'
Description: a primitive root; to transport into captivity; (bring away, carry, carry away, lead, lead away, take) captive(-s), drive (take) away.